Epstein Secrets

ssia and China, each of which has a veto on the Security Council. Obama administration officials complain about that support, but Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugs them off. Why is Russia able to shield Assad, harm the Syrian people, and frustrate U.S. diplomacy? Because Mr. Obama has made the Security

explanation for why Moscow continues to back the Assad regime is that it is acting to protect its security and economic interests. While President Vladimir E FTA_R 1_02207156 EFTA02722367 Putin may well believe this to be the case, his government's continued support for Bashar Assad represents at best

k the Assad regime is that it is acting to protect its security and economic interests. While President Vladimir E FTA_R 1_02207156 EFTA02722367 Putin may well believe this to be the case, his government's continued support for Bashar Assad represents at best a miscalculation—and at worst an irrev

mplain about that support, but Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugs them off. Why is Russia able to shi

Maybe the less alarmed we get, the less alarm will be in order. Robert Wright is a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author, most recently, of The Evolution of God, a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Article S. Wall Street Journal Russia's Support for Assad Will Backfire Laz

sia and China, each of which has a veto on the Security Council. Obama administration officials complain about that support, but Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugs them off. Why is Russia able to shield Assad, harm the Syrian people, and frustrate U.S. diplomacy? Because Mr. Obama has made the Security

s in the Middle East is that they seem set to backfire against its regional standing on all three fronts. None of this will be made easier for Mr. Putin by the continuing deterioration of his domestic support. A recent report by a Russian think tank warns that Moscow's foreign policy may become "les

mplain about that support, but Russian President Vladimir Putin shrugs them off. Why is Russia able to shi

Maybe the less alarmed we get, the less alarm will be in order. Robert Wright is a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author, most recently, of The Evolution of God, a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Wall Street Journal Russia's Support for Assad Will Backfire Inna Lazareva J

d relations with the new forces in the Arab world. Events in the Middle East may even impinge on Russia's presidential elections, giving a boost to Vladimir Putin's ambitions. Ever since his historic visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf in 2007 -- the first ever by a Russian leader -- Putin has claimed to know

a boost to Vladimir Putin's ambitions. Ever since his historic visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf in 2007 -- the first ever by a Russian leader -- Putin has claimed to know how to handle Middle East affairs. The situation in Syria is a subject of great preoccupation in Moscow. Deputy Foreign Minist

ussia's presidential elections, giving a boost to Vladimir Putin's ambitions. Ever since his historic visit

y about war have the "jitters." EFTA_R1_00484999 EFTA01991862 Robert Wright is a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author, most recently, of The Evolution of God, a New York Times bestseller and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. EFTA_R1_00485000 EFTA01991863